Fishing rod holder system

ABSTRACT

A fishing rod holder system for easily transporting, storing, and/or using fishing rods, including one or more rod holding members releasably mountable to receiving member affixed to a separate structure. The one or more rod holding members can be attachable/detachable and swivelable/rotatable about the receiving member. In some embodiments, the positions of the one or more rod holding members can be fixed or adjustable with respect to the receiving member. Further, the rod holding members are substantially hollow tubes for receiving the handle of a fishing rod, wherein the rod holding members may include various configurations of notches and/or slots for engaging with the fishing rod/reel.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/603,939, entitled “Fishing Rod Holder System”filed on May 24, 2017, the application of which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/340,850, entitled “Fishing RodHolder System” filed on May 24, 2016, the applications of which areincorporate herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to fishing rod holdersand more particularly to a fishing rod holder system for easilytransporting, storing, and/or using fishing rods.

BACKGROUND

Fishing rods can be awkward to hold or carry especially if holding orcarrying multiple fishing rods and/or other items at the same time andespecially when hiking or traveling in some type of watercraft.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, the disclosed subject matter provides a rod holdersystem. The rod holder system may include a rod holder, the rod holdermay include a substantially hollow tube and a connecting member affixedthereto; and a receiving member, wherein the rod holder is releasablyattachable to the receiving member via the connecting member. The systemmay further include a frame, wherein the receiving member may be affixedto the frame. The frame may be configured to be disposed in a portablepack. The frame may include one or more horizontal and vertical rodsconfigured together to form the frame, wherein at least one of the oneor more horizontal rods and/or vertical rods may include a receivingmember affixed to an end portion thereof. The frame may be configured ina generally “L” or “U” shape. The rod holder may be rotatable about thereceiving member when attached thereto via the connecting member. Theconnecting member and receiving member may be attachable via aspring-loaded button system, wherein a spring-loaded button is providedin one of the receiving member or the connecting member and one or morecorresponding holes are provided in the other one of the receivingmember or the connecting member. The one or more corresponding holes mayinclude a plurality of holes, and wherein the plurality of holes may beconfigured to be spaced about an equal distance from one another about aperiphery of the one of the connecting member or receiving member. Thespring-loaded button system may include a spring-loaded double button.The connecting member may be affixed at about a midpoint along thelength of the rod holder and extends out in a perpendicular orientationtherefrom. The hollow tube of the rod holder may be configured toreceive a handle portion of a fishing rod. The hollow tube of the rodholder may include one or more slots and/or notches formed in a sidewall thereof. The one or more slots and/or notches may include a firstpair of opposing notches formed at a first end of the hollow tube of therod holder. The system may include a second pair of opposing notchesformed at a second end of the hollow tube of the rod holder and arrangedabout 90 degrees out of phase with the first pair of opposing notches atthe first end of the hollow tube of the rod holder. The one or moreslots and/or notches, may include at least a single slot, wherein thesingle slot extends a full length of the hollow tube of the rod holder.The system may further include a slide rail, wherein the slide rail isconfigured to attach between at least two receiving members. The systemmay further include a slide rail, wherein the slide rail is configuredto attach between at least two of any of horizontal rods, vertical rodsand/or receiving members. The slide rail may be configured to receivethe connecting member of the rod holder such that the rod holder isslideable along the length of the slide rail. The receiving member mayinclude one of a rail mount, a corner mount, a flush mount, or a trackmount. The rail mount may include a U-clamp having one or more receivingmembers affixed thereto and configured for securing the receiving memberto a rail structure. The corner mount comprises an angled plate havingone or more receiving members affixed thereto. The flush mount mayinclude a flat plate, wherein the receiving member may be affixedthereto, such that the receiving member extends through the plateextending from a first side and a second side of the plate. Thereceiving member may be releasably attachable to the connecting membervia a spring-loaded double button system. The s track mount may includea flat plate having one or more feet structures adjustably attached onone side of the plate, wherein the one or more feet structures areconfigured to engage a track; at least one receiving member affixed tothe other side of the plate; and an adjustment mechanism for securingthe one or more feet within the track. The rod holder may be extendablein a horizontal direction from the receiving member. The system mayfurther include an accessory holder, wherein the accessory holder mayinclude a connecting member affixed thereto and may further beconfigured to releasable attach to a receiving member. The connectingmember may be attachable to the receiving member and/or a slide rail viaa 90-degree ring clamp. The connecting member may be attachable to thereceiving member via a split collar lock. The receiving member mayinclude one of a T-mount or H-mount. The receiving member may be affixedto one or more of a flat plate, angled plate, or U-clamp.

In another aspect, the disclosed subject matter provides a rod holder.The rod holder may include a substantially hollow tube; and a connectingmember affixed thereto, wherein the connecting member is configured tobe releasably attachable to a receiving member.

In yet another aspect, the disclosed subject matter provides a receivingmember, wherein the receiving member may include an attachment mechanismconfigured to accept a connecting member in a releasable manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the disclosed subject matter in general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying Drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example embodiment of thedisclosed fishing rod holder system installed inside a pack;

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view an example embodiment of thedisclosed fishing rod holder system installed inside the pack and whenholding fishing rods;

FIGS. 3-9 illustrate various views of example embodiments of thedisclosed fishing rod holder system;

FIGS. 10-15 illustrate example embodiments of a rod holding member ofthe disclosed fishing rod holder system;

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate example embodiments of connectionmechanisms for attaching the rod holding member to a receiving member ofthe disclosed fishing rod holder system;

FIGS. 17-22 illustrate perspective views of example embodiments of thedisclosed fishing rod holder system including a slide rail;

FIG. 23 illustrates a close up view of a slideable member portion asshown in FIGS. 17-20;

FIGS. 24-28A illustrate various views of additional example embodimentsof the disclosed fishing rod holder system;

FIGS. 28B-28D illustrate various views of example embodiments forconnecting the rod holding member to the disclosed fishing rod holdersystem;

FIGS. 29-30 illustrate an example embodiment of a mechanism forconnecting the rod holding member to a receiving member of the disclosedfishing rod holder system;

FIGS. 31A-31C and 32A-32B illustrate example embodiments of connectingone or more rod holding members to a receiving member affixed to a flatplate;

FIGS. 33A-33B illustrate example embodiments of connecting one or morerod holding members to a structure via a receiving member affixed to acorner/angled plate;

FIG. 34 illustrates another example embodiment of connecting one or morerod holding members to a receiving member affixed to a corner/angledplate;

FIG. 35 illustrates various example alternative embodiments forconnecting the rod holding member to a receiving member of the disclosedfishing rod holder system including a slide rail;

FIG. 36 illustrates an example embodiment of connecting two end portionsof members the disclosed fishing rod holder system;

FIG. 37 illustrates example embodiments for connecting the rod holdingmember to a receiving member of the disclosed fishing rod holder system;

FIG. 38 illustrates an example embodiment of a railing mount receivingmember of the disclosed invention;

FIGS. 39A through 39B illustrates an example embodiment of a flush mountreceiving member of the disclosed invention; and

FIGS. 40A through 40C illustrates an example embodiment of a track mountreceiving member of the disclosed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed subject matter now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which some,but not all embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are shown. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout. The disclosed subject mattermay be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed aslimited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter set forth herein will come to mind to oneskilled in the art to which the disclosed subject matter pertains havingthe benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions andthe associated Drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that thedisclosed subject matter is not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter provides a fishing rodholder system for easily transporting, storing, and/or using fishingrods. The fishing rod holder system includes one or more rod holdingmembers wherein the rod holding members may be mounted to a frame,surface, and/or object. The one or more rod holding members may bedetachable and rotatable/swivelable about a receiving member. Further,in some embodiments of the fishing rod holder system the positions ofthe one or more rod holding members can be fixed or adjustable withrespect to the frame, surface, and/or object it is mounted to.

The rod holding members may preferably be hollow tubes for receiving thegrip end of a fishing rod, wherein the rod holding members may includevarious configurations of notches and/or slots for engaging with thefishing rod/reel.

In one example, the rod holding members may be mounted to a frame,wherein the frame may be a self-supporting, standalone frame to whichthe one or more rod holding members may be mounted. In another example,the frame is designed to be secured to/in a secondary structure, whereinthe secondary structure can be a portable structure (e.g., a cooler, alawn chair, a pack, a duffle bag), or the secondary structure can be asubstantially permanent structure (e.g., a wall, a tree, a dock or peer,a picnic table, table, the side/railing of any type of watercraft, theside of a pickup truck bed). Further, the frame can be formed, forexample, of hollow tubular members, solid members (e.g., solid rods),flat members, and/or any combinations thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 1 through FIG. 9 is various views of an example ofthe disclosed fishing rod holder system 100, which is one example of afishing rod holder system that includes a self-supporting, standaloneframe. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fishing rod holder system 100installed inside an example pack 190 and when not holding fishing rods.FIG. 2 a perspective view of the fishing rod holder system 100 installedinside a pack 190 and when holding fishing rods 192. FIG. 3, FIG. 4,FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 show a front perspective view, a rearperspective view, a top down view, a bottom up view, and a side view,respectively, of the fishing rod holder system 100 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show another front perspective view and rearperspective view of the fishing rod holder system 100 of FIG. 1 and FIG.2.

The fishing rod holder system 100 is a system for easily transporting,storing, and/or using fishing rods. The fishing rod holder system 100includes a plurality of rod holders 110, which are the rod holdingmembers of the fishing rod holder system 100. In this example, four rodholders 110 may be mounted on a frame 130, wherein the frame 130 is anexample of a self-supporting, standalone frame. The four rod holders 110are detachable from the frame 130. While FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show thefishing rod holder system 100 installed inside the pack 190, the fishingrod holder system 100 may be used outside of the pack 190. However, thefishing rod holder system 100 inside the pack 190 provides an easy wayto transport multiple fishing rods 192 when, for example, hiking to/froma fishing destination.

Further, while FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the fishing rod holder system 100installed inside a pack (e.g., pack 190), the fishing rod holder system100 can be configured for use in/on any other portable or fixedstructure. For example, the fishing rod holder system 100 can beconfigured for use in/on any portable structure, such as a cooler, alawn chair, a pack, a duffle bag, and the like, or in/on anysubstantially fixed structure, such as a wall, a tree, a dock or peer, apicnic table, the side/railing of any type of watercraft, boat console,side of a pickup truck bed, and the like.

In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the frame 130 includes anarrangement of horizontal members 132 and vertical members 134, whereinthe overall shape of the frame 130 is designed to be fitted inside anyconventional pack. In this example, the horizontal members 132 and thevertical members 134 may be formed of hollow, lightweight, rigid,tubular members, such as 1-inch PVC or aluminum tubing. However, thehorizontal members 132 and/or the vertical members 134 can be formed,for example, of hollow tubular members, solid members (e.g., solidrods), flat members (see FIGS. 24-26), and any combinations thereof.Further, hollow tubular members are not limited to circular (i.e.,piping). Rather, the hollow tubular members can be, for example, squaretubing (i.e., hollow tubing with square cross-section) or rectangulartubing (i.e., hollow tubing with rectangular cross-section).

Absent the rod holders 110, the ends of certain horizontal members 132may protrude through openings or slots in the sides of, for example, thepack 190. Once the frame 130 is inside the pack 190, the rod holders 110can be mounted on the exposed ends of the horizontal members 132.Accordingly, the rod holders 110 are outside of the pack 190.

Each of the rod holders 110 may be a piece of tubing, such as about a4-inch long piece of tubing, designed to receive the handle end of afishing rod, as shown for example in FIG. 2. One or more notches and/orslots may be provided in one or more sides of the rod holders 110,wherein the neck of a fishing reel may engage with one of the notchesand/or slots. A connecting member 120 is provided on the side of each ofthe rod holders 110, wherein the connecting member 120 can be fitted tothe frame 130, such as to the ends of the horizontal members 132. Forexample, the connecting member 120 can be a short piece of tubing havingan inside diameter that is substantially the same as the outsidediameter of the horizontal members 132. In another example, theconnecting member 120 can be a short piece of tubing having an outsidediameter that is substantially the same as the inside diameter of thehorizontal members 132. More details of examples of different designs ofthe rod holders 110 are shown and described herein below with referenceto FIGS. 10-16B.

The rod holders 110 may be rotatable/adjustable about the ends of thehorizontal members 132. For example, FIGS. 1 and 3-7 show the axis ofthe rod holders 110 set at an angle (e.g., about 45 degrees) withrespect to vertical. By contrast, FIGS. 2 and 8-9 show the axis of therod holders 110 set at about vertical. The rotational positions of therod holders 110 about the ends of their respective horizontal members132 can be the same or different. In one example, the two rod holders110 on one side can be set to about 45 degrees while the two rod holders110 on the other side can be set to about vertical. In another example,the two lower rod holders 110 can be set to about 45 degrees while thetwo upper rod holders 110 can be set to about vertical. In yet anotherexample, the two lower rod holders 110 can be set to about 45 degrees inone direction (i.e., +45 degrees) while the two upper rod holders 110can be set to about 45 degrees in the opposite direction (i.e., −45degrees).

In the fishing rod holder system 100 shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 9, thehorizontal/vertical mounting positions of the four rod holders 110 isfixed with respect to the frame 130. However, in other embodiments thehorizontal/vertical positions of the rod holders 110 may be adjustable,an example of which is shown in FIGS. 17-22.

FIGS. 10-16B illustrate various views of multiple examples of the rodholder 110 of the disclosed fishing rod holder system 100. The rodholder 110 may include any arrangement of notches and/or slots, examplesof which are shown in FIG. 10-15.

For example, FIGS. 10 and 11 show an example of the rod holder 110wherein the rod holder 110 includes a body 112 and a connecting member120. In one example, the body 112 of the rod holder 110 is a length ofhollow tubing (e.g., PVC, aluminum, or stainless steel tubing) that is,for example, about 4 inches long and about 2 inches in diameter (see forexample FIG. 11). Further, the thickness of the body wall may be, forexample, about 0.065 inches. Further, in this example, a pair ofopposing notches 114 is provided at one end of the body 112. In oneexample and referring now to FIG. 11, each of the notches 114 may beabout 1 inch deep and may be about 1.25 inches wide, then may taper toabout 1 inch wide.

In this example, the connecting member 120 is also a tubular member(e.g., about a 1-inch tubular member). The connecting member 120protrudes from a side of the body 112 and is substantially normal to thebody 112. In one example, the connecting member 120 can have an outsidediameter that is substantially the same as the inside diameter of thehorizontal members 132, wherein the connecting member 120 is fittedinside the horizontal member 132 (see FIG. 16A). However, in anotherexample, the connecting member 120 can have an inside diameter that issubstantially the same as the outside diameter of, for example, thehorizontal members 132 shown in FIGS. 1-9, wherein the connecting member120 is fitted around the outside of the horizontal member 132 (see FIG.16B).

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13 is yet another example of the rodholder 110 wherein a pair of opposing notches 114 may be provided atboth ends of the body 112. However, the first pair of opposing notches114 at one end of the body 112 is arranged about 90 degrees out of phasewith the second pair of opposing notches 114 at other end of the body112.

Referring now to FIG. 14 is yet another example of the rod holder 110wherein the body 112 includes one notch 114 at one end (or at both ends)and a full length slot 116 on the opposing side of the body 112. Thewidth of the slot 116 can be, for example, in the range of about 1 inchto about 1.25 inches.

Referring now to FIG. 15 is yet another example of the rod holder 110wherein the body 112 includes no notches or slots.

Referring now to FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B is yet another example of the rodholder 110 wherein the connecting member 120 may include a mechanism forsetting and locking the rotational position of the rod holder 110 withrespect to a receiving member. For example, FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B show areceiving member 140, which can be, for example, the ends of one or moreof the horizontal members 132, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1-9 and 24-28A,or alternatively, may be affixed to another mounting surface ormechanism, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 31A-35, 38-40B.

In the example shown in FIG. 16A, the receiving member 140 is sized tofit outside (around) the connecting member 120. For example, if theoutside diameter of the connecting member 120 of the rod holder 110 isabout 1 inch, then the inside diameter of the receiving member 140 isalso about 1 inch. In this example of the rod holder 110, the connectingmember 120 can be called an inside-fitting connecting member 120.

A spring-loaded snap clasp system may be provided to attach theconnecting member 120 and the receiving member 140, wherein aspring-loaded button 142 may be provided in the connecting member 120 ofthe rod holder 110 and a set of through-holes 122 is provided in thereceiving member 140. There may be one or more through-holes 122 spacedabout 45 degrees, 90 degrees, or some other number of degrees apartaround the circumference of the receiving member 140, or a portionthereof. For example, the receiving member 140 may include eightthrough-holes 122 positioned about 45 degrees apart around thecircumference of the receiving member 140, as shown in Detail A of FIG.16A. Or in another example, the receiving member 140 may include fourthrough-holes 122 positioned about 90 degrees apart around thecircumference of the receiving member 140. The spring-loaded button 142can be aligned with and locked into any one of the through-holes 122 toset the desired rotational position of the rod holder 110 about thereceiving member 140.

By contrast, in the example shown in FIG. 16B, the receiving member 140is sized to fit inside the connecting member 120. For example, if theinside diameter of the connecting member 120 of the rod holder 110 isabout 1 inch, then the outside diameter of the receiving member 140 isalso about 1 inch. In this example of the rod holder 110, the connectingmember 120 can be called an outside-fitting connecting member 120. Inthis example, the spring-loaded button 142 is provided in the receivingmember 140 and the set of through-holes 122 is provided in theconnecting member 120 of the rod holder 110.

In another example, the rotating feature of the rod holder 110 withrespect to the receiving member 140 can be provided via a turn lockcoupler (e.g. 166 of FIG. 37), cam lock coupler (see FIG. 28D), orpressure fit. Further, any configurations of the disclosed fishing rodholder system that are described herein can include outside-fittingconnecting members 120 of the rod holders 110, inside-fitting connectingmembers 120 of the rod holders 110, or a combination of bothoutside-fitting and inside-fitting connecting members 120 of the rodholders 110.

FIGS. 17-22 illustrate perspective views of another example of thedisclosed fishing rod holder system 100 wherein the horizontal and/orvertical positions of the rod holders 110 are adjustable. In oneexample, the fishing rod holder system 100 is substantially the same asthat shown in FIGS. 1-9 except for the additions of one or more railmembers 136, on one or both sides (as shown in FIGS. 17-20). Further, inthis example, the rod holders 110 may be mounted to correspondingslideable members 138 (or 90-degree ring clamps 150), that can ridealong the rail members 136; for example, two slideable members 138 maybe on each rail member 136. In this example, the position of each of therod holders 110 can be adjusted by sliding its respective slideablemember 138 along the length of the rail member 136. FIGS. 17-20 alsoshow the rod holders 110 set at different angles and/or at differentpositions along their respective rail member 136. Further, in thisexample, the pack 190 would have a slot on one or both sides, asnecessary, that corresponds to the path of the slideable member 138.

FIGS. 21A-22 illustrate alternative embodiments of the disclosed fishingrod holder system 100 wherein the horizontal and/or vertical positionsof the rod holders 110 may be adjustable. In these examples, the railmembers 136 may be positioned in various configurations, e.g., from anupper portion of the frame 130 diagonally downward to a lower portion ofthe frame 130 (See FIG. 21A), and/or horizontally spanning betweenopposing upper or lower portions of frame 130 (See FIGS. 21B-22). Inthis example, the rod holders 110 may be mounted to correspondingslideable members 138 (or 90-degree ring clamps 150) that ride along therail members 136.

Referring now to FIG. 23 is a close up view of the slideable member 138shown in FIGS. 17-20 and with the rod holder 110 connected thereto. Inthis example, the receiving member 140 may protrude from a side of theslideable member 138 to engage with connecting member 120.

FIG. 24 through FIG. 28A illustrates yet other examples and/or featuresof the disclosed fishing rod holder system 100. For example, FIGS. 24-26show examples of fishing rod holder system 100 in which the frame 130includes both tubular members and flat members. In this example, theframe 130 of the fishing rod holder system 100 may include a pair ofL-shaped or U-shaped flat members 144. In one example, as shown in FIG.24, the fishing rod holder system 100 includes a pair of L-shaped flatmembers 144, and a horizontal member 132 may be arranged across an upperportion of flat members 144 and/or a lower portion of flat members 144.In another example, as shown in FIGS. 25-26, the fishing rod holdersystem 100 includes a pair of U-shaped flat members 144, and one or morehorizontal members 132 that may be arranged across upper portions offlat members 144 and/or lower portions of flat members 144. Again, thisarrangement may be sized to fit inside a portable pack, such as pack190.

The horizontal members 132 need not extend continuously from one side ofthe frame 130 to the other. In one example, and referring now to FIG.27, there may be a gap or space in the uppermost horizontal member 132,for example creating two elbow members 146 to which the rod holders 110can connect. Or in the case of a fishing rod holder system 100 includinga pair of U-shaped flat members 144, there may be a gap or space in oneof the uppermost horizontal members 132, creating two independentreceiving members 140, wherein receiving members 140 may be generallyparallel with or perpendicular to the frame 130.

In some embodiments, the rod holders 110 may include a “telescoping”feature. In one example and referring now to FIGS. 28A-D, the length ofthe connecting member 120 of the rod holder 110 may be extended. In FIG.28B, the connecting member 120 of the rod holder 110 may be aninside-fitting connecting member 120 wherein the spring-loaded button142 is provided in the connecting member 120 and a line of through-holes122 is provided along the length of, for example, the end of thehorizontal member 132.

In FIG. 28C, the connecting member 120 of the rod holder 110 is anoutside-fitting connecting member 120 wherein the spring-loaded button142 is provided in the horizontal member 132 and a line of through-holes122 is provided along the connecting member 120. In FIG. 28B and FIG.28C, the “telescoping” action is provided by sliding the connectingmember 120 of the rod holder 110 along the receiving member 140 and thenlatching the spring-loaded button 142 to any one of the through-holes122. In another example, the telescoping feature may be provided via aturn lock coupler (e.g., turn lock coupler 166 of FIG. 37), cam lockcoupler (e.g., cam lock coupler 160 of FIG. 25D), or pressure fit.

In some embodiments, a 90-degree ring clamp 150 may be used to securemembers of the disclosed fishing rod holder system 100. In one exampleand referring now to FIG. 29, the 90-degree ring clamp 150 is used toslideably secure the connecting member 120 of the rod holder 110 to anymember (e.g., rail member 136 of FIG. 17) of the frame 130 of thefishing rod holder system 100. In another example and referring now toFIG. 30, the 90-degree ring clamp 150 may be used to slideably secureone or more rod holders 110 together, wherein, in one example, one ofthe rod holders 110 may be affixed to a plate 152, and another rodholder 110 is attached to the connecting member 120 of the other rodholder 110 via the 90-degree ring clamp 150.

Referring now to FIGS. 31A-31C are perspective views of a fishing rodholder system 200, which is yet another example of the disclosed fishingrod holder system. In this example, the fishing rod holder system 200includes a mount structure 210 for receiving the rod holder 110. Themount structure 210 may include a plate 212. The receiving member 140preferably protrudes from one surface of the plate 212 and issubstantially normal to the plate 212. In one example, the plate 212 maybe about 2 inches wide and in the range of about 4 inches to about 6inches long. The plate 212 may be, for example, PVC material, aluminum,stainless steel, or other suitable material. Additionally, one or morethrough-holes 216 (or slots) may be provided in the plate 212, whereinthe through-holes 216 (or slots) may be used for fastening mountstructure 210 to any other structure. FIG. 31A shows a mount structure210 that is designed to receive an inside-fitting connecting member 120of the rod holder 110. FIG. 31B shows a mount structure 210 that isdesigned to receive an outside-fitting connecting member 120 of the rodholder 110.

Referring now to FIG. 31C, the mount structure 210 is not limited to onereceiving member 140 only. The length and/or width of the plate 212 maybe adjusted so that a plurality of receiving members 140 can be arrangedthereon for receiving a plurality of rod holders 110.

Referring now to FIG. 32A and FIG. 32B are perspective views of afishing rod holder system 300, which is yet another example of thedisclosed fishing rod holder system. In this example, the fishing rodholder system 300 includes an alternate mount structure 310 forreceiving a pair of the rod holders 110. The mount structure 310includes a plate 312. A member 314 protrudes from one surface of theplate 312 and is substantially normal to the plate 312. The receivingmember 140, having receiving points on each end thereof, is arrangedperpendicular to the opposite end of the member 314 as shown. A pair ofthe rod holders 110 may be attached to the receiving member 140, e.g.,one rod holder 110 at each end. FIG. 32A shows a mount structure 310that is designed to receive inside-fitting connecting members 120 of therod holders 110. FIG. 32B shows a mount structure 310 that is designedto receive outside-fitting connecting members 120 of the rod holders110.

Referring now to FIG. 33A and FIG. 33B are perspective views of afishing rod holder system 400, which is still yet another example of thedisclosed fishing rod holder system. The fishing rod holder system 400is configured to be used in combination with a structure, for example aportable structure, such as in this case a cooler 450. The fishing rodholder system 400 may include a strap 410 that can be fastened aroundand tightened to the cooler 450. A corner plate 412 may be fastened tothe strap 410 (e.g., via one or more slots formed in the corner plate412). Alternatively, corner plate 412 may be directly attached to thestructure, via screws, bolts, or other suitable mechanism. The cornerplate 412 may have one or more receiving members 140 protrudingtherefrom, for example as shown in FIG. 33A, to which one or more rodholders 110 can be attached, for example as shown in FIG. 33B. Thefishing rod holder system 400 is not limited to a corner plate 412 only.The fishing rod holder system 400 may include flat or straight plateswith one or more receiving members 140 protruding therefrom securable bythe strap 410 (or other suitable mechanism), to be used along flatportions of the cooler 450, or other such structure.

FIG. 35 illustrates another example embodiment of corner plate 412 forattaching to a corner of a structure (either permanent or portablestructure). Corner plate 412 may include one or more receiving members140 protruding therefrom, to which one or more rod holders 110 can beattached via their respective connecting members 120. Corner plate 412may include through-holes (not shown) and/or slots/slits (not shown) tofacilitate securing the corner plate 412 to the corner of a structure.

FIG. 35 illustrates various alternative examples for connecting a sliderail 136 to receiving members 140. In one example, angled plates, suchas corner plates 412, having receiving members 140 protruding therefrom,may be attached to opposing corners of a structure 163. Alternatively,the corner plates 412 may be attached one above the other in a verticalfashion on the same corner edge. Slide rail 136 may extend from a firstreceiving member 140 affixed to a first angled plate, e.g., corner plate412, to a second receiving member 140 affixed to a second angled plate.In another example, a pair of plates 152, having receiving members 140protruding therefrom, are mounted to a surface at a distance apartsubstantially equal to that of a slide rail 136, and opposing ends ofslide rail 136 are attached to corresponding receiving members 140. Oneor more rod holders 110 may be attached to slide rail member 136 usingslideable members 138 and/or 90-degree ring clamps 150 that can ridealong the rail members 136.

In some embodiments, an inline ring clamp may be used to secure membersof the disclosed fishing rod holder system 100. In one example andreferring now to FIG. 36, an inline ring clamp 160 may be used to secureend-to-end any two members of the fishing rod holder system 100. Theinline ring clamp 160 may facilitate telescoping action.

Referring to FIG. 37 illustrates various examples of securing end-to-endany two members of the fishing rod holder system 100 and/or attaching aconnecting member 120 of rod holder 110 to a receiving member 140. Inone example, spring-loaded button 142 may be provided in the connectingmember 120 of the rod holder 110 and one or more through-holes 122 areprovided in the receiving member 140. Alternatively, spring-loadedbutton 142 may be provided in the receiving member 140 and one or morethrough-holes 122 may be provided in the connecting member 120 of therod holder 110. In another example, connecting member 120 of the rodholder 110 maybe connected to the receiving member 140 via a splitcollar lock or turn lock coupler 166. In yet another example, connectingmember 120 of the rod holder 110 maybe connected to the receiving member140 via a 90-degree ring clamp 150. In still yet another example,connecting member 120 of the rod holder 110 maybe connected to thereceiving member 140 via a swaged coupler 170. Swaged coupler 170 may bethe end portion of the connecting member 120 of the rod holder 110 or ofthe receiving member 140. The above examples are not limited to useconnecting the connecting member 120 of the rod holder 110 to thereceiving member 140, but may also be employed to secure any two membersof the fishing rod holder system 100.

The disclosed fishing rod holder system is not limited to the framemount, flat surface mount, and angle surface mount configurationspreviously shown and described herein. The disclosed fishing rod holdersystem may include any type of frame or mount configuration as long asit is capable of holding at least one rod holder 110. Below, FIGS.38-40C show other example configurations of the disclosed fishing rodholder system.

In addition to the frame mount (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1-9, 17-22, and24-28A), flat surface mount (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 30-32B), and angledsurface mount (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 33-34) configurations, FIGS.38-40C illustrate other example configurations of the disclosed fishingrod holder system 100, such as, but not limited to, a rail mountablereceiving member, a flush mountable receiving member, and a trackmountable receiving member.

Referring to FIG. 38 illustrates an example embodiment of a rail mount172. In one embodiment rail mount 172 may include receiving member 140and an adjustable U-bolt 174. Receiving member 140 is preferably spacedfrom U-bolt 174 a sufficient distance to allow the connecting member 120of rod holder 110 to fully engage receiving member 140. Receiving member140 may include one or more through-holes 122 for receiving aspring-loaded button 142 of a connecting member 120. Alternatively,receiving member 140 may include a spring-loaded button 142 for engagingone or more through-holes 122 of a connecting member 120. U-bolt 174 maybe integrated with receiving member 140, such that the two legs of theU-bolt 174 pass through the width of the body of receiving member 140,wherein the U portion of the U-bolt 174 is disposed on one side of thebody of the receiving member 140 and the legs of the U-bolt 174 extendoutward from an opposing side. The receiving member 140 may further havean inward curved portion disposed in a side thereof that includes the Uportion of the U-bolt 174.

In use, U-bolt 174 is positioned such a railing 176, to which the railmount 172 is to be secured to, is captured between the body of receivingmember 140 and the U portion of the U-bolt 174. The rail mount 172 isthen maneuvered to position the receiving member 140 in the desiredposition on the railing and then the U-bolt 174 is tightened to securethe rail mount 172 in place. U-bolt 174 may be tightened using anyconventional means, e.g., wing nuts or the like. The rail mount 172 maybe used on a vertical, horizontal, or angled railing.

Referring to FIGS. 39A and 39B illustrate an example embodiment of aflush mount 178. Flush mount 178 is preferably used for mounting afishing rod holder system 100, for example to a flat surface (e.g.,counter top), in a substantially flush manner. In one embodiment flushmount 178 may include a receiving member 140, a plate 180, and a lowermember 182. Lower member 182 is preferably a substantially hollow tubeand affixed to a bottom surface of plate 180. Plate 180 preferablyincludes a through-hole substantially aligned with the hollow tubeopening of lower member 182. Receiving member is removably attachable toplate 180 and lower member 182. A lower portion of receiving member 140is preferably slightly smaller in diameter than an upper portion ofreceiving member 140. The outer diameter of the lower portion ofreceiving member 140 is substantially the same as the inner diameter ofthe plate 180 through-hole and hollow tube portion of lower member 182.The outer diameter of the upper portion of receiving member 140 issubstantially the same as or larger than the outer diameter of thethrough-hole of plate 180. Receiving member 140 may further include aspring-loaded double button 181 for engaging one or more through-holes122 of lower member 182, wherein the buttons of spring-loaded doublebutton 181 are aligned one above the other with one disposed at theupper portion of receiving member 140 and the other disposed at thelower portion of receiving member 140. The spring-loaded double button181 is configured such that by depressing the button disposed at theupper portion of receiving member 140 it causes the button disposed atthe lower portion to be simultaneously depressed.

In use, the plate 180, with lower member 182 affixed thereto, is mountedinto a flat surface of a structure, such that the plate 180 issubstantially flush with the flat surface, and secured. Receiving member140 may then be attached by inserting the lower portion of receivingmember into the through-hole of plate 180 and into the hollow portion oflower member 182. The wider diameter of the upper portion of receivingmember 140 prevents the receiving member from passing all the waythrough. The length of the lower portion of the receiving member 140 andspacing of the buttons of the spring-loaded double button 181, is suchthat when the lower portion of the receiving member 140 is fullyinserted in the plate 180 and lower member 182, the bottom button of thespring-loaded double button 181 engages a through-hole 122 of the lowermember 182, thus locking the receiving member in place.

A rod holder 110 may be connected to the upper portion of receivingmember 140. The upper end portion of receiving member 140 may includeone or more through-holes 122 for receiving a spring-loaded button 142of the connecting member 120. Alternatively, the upper end portion ofreceiving member 140 may include a spring-loaded button 142 for engagingone or more through-holes 122 of the connecting member 120.

In this example, to remove the receiving member 140, the exposed upperbutton of the spring-loaded double button 181 is depressed, which by itsspring action, causes the lower, concealed, button to be depressed, andthus disengages from the through-hole 122 of the lower member 182,therefore allowing the receiving member to be removed from the flushmount 178.

Referring to FIGS. 40A-40C illustrate an example embodiment of a trackmount 184. Track mount 184 is preferably used for mounting a fishing rodholder system 100, for example to a track system, such as track 192. Inone embodiment track mount 184 may include a receiving member 140, aplate 186, adjusters 188, and track feet 190. Receiving member 140 ispreferably affixed to a top surface of plate 186 and protrudes out in asubstantially perpendicular manner from about a middle portion thereof.Adjusters 188 preferably pass though plate 186 to engage track feet 190disposed below a bottom surface of plate 186. Adjusters 188 preferablyinclude an adjustment mechanism, such as a knob disposed on the topsurface of plate 186, and engage the track feet 190 such that the trackfeet can be rotated and/or raised and lowered relative to the bottomsurface of plate 186. Track feet 190 are configured such that they canbe secured within a rail slot of track 192. In one example, track feet190 may be oval in shape to allow the feet to be slid into the rail slotof track 192 and then when in position the track feet 190 are rotatedand/or raised, for example using the adjustment knob of adjuster 188, tolock the feet underneath the rail slot of track 192. Alternatively,track feet 190 may be of any other suitable shape, including, but notlimited to, square, rectangular, circular, triangular, or other suitableshape.

In use, track feet 190 are loosened (if needed) and positioned such thatthey can freely slide into a rail slot of track 192. The track mount 184is then slid to a desired position along the track 192. Once inposition, track feet 190 are locked in position by, for example, usingthe adjustment knob of adjuster 188, to lock the track feet 190underneath the rail slot of track 192. A rod holder 110 may be connectedto the receiving member 140 of the track mount 184. The receiving member140 may include one or more through-holes 122 for receiving aspring-loaded button 142 of the connecting member 120. Alternatively,the receiving member 140 may include a spring-loaded button 142 forengaging one or more through-holes 122 of the connecting member 120 ofthe rod holder 110.

In this example, to remove the track mount 184, the track feet 190 areloosened, for example, using the adjustment knob of adjuster 188, toloosen the track feet 190 and rotate them so they may be slid out of therail slot of track 192.

Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and“the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, includingthe claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes aplurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary(e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth.

Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,”“comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, exceptwhere the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” andits grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such thatrecitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other likeitems that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unlessotherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions,proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities,characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specificationand claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances bythe term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appearwith the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to thecontrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the followingspecification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but maybe approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflectingtolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and thelike, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending onthe desired properties sought to be obtained by the disclosed subjectmatter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can bemeant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments, ±100% in someembodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, insome embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as suchvariations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employthe disclosed compositions.

Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or morenumbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all suchnumbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range byextending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth.The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers,e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within thatrange (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5,as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like)and any range within that range.

Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detailby way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity ofunderstanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatcertain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope ofthe appended claims.

That which is claimed:
 1. A rod holder system, comprising: a. a transferable rod holder, the rod holder comprising a substantially hollow tube and a connecting member extending outward from a side wall thereof; and b. one or more receiving members affixed to a first separate structure and extending outward therefrom, wherein an end portion of the one or more receiving members is configured to releasably mate with an end portion of the connecting member; and wherein the first separate structure comprises an angled corner plate configured to be installed to a second separate structure.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the angled corner plate comprises two receiving members affixed thereto.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the angled corner plate comprises about a 90 degree angle at about its midpoint.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the rod holder is rotatable about the receiving member when attached thereto via the connecting member.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the connecting member and receiving member are attachable via a spring-loaded button system, wherein a spring-loaded button is provided in one of the receiving member or the connecting member and one or more corresponding holes are provided in the other one of the receiving member or the connecting member.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein the one or more corresponding holes comprise a plurality of holes, and wherein the plurality of holes are configured to be spaced about an equal distance from one another about a periphery of the one of the connecting member or receiving member.
 7. The system of claim 5 wherein the spring-loaded button system comprises a spring-loaded double button.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the connecting member is affixed at about a midpoint along the length of the rod holder and extends outward in a perpendicular orientation therefrom.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the hollow tube of the rod holder is configured to receive a handle portion of a fishing rod.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the hollow tube of the rod holder comprises one or more slots and/or notches formed in a side wall thereof.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the one or more slots and/or notches, comprise a first pair of opposing notches formed at a first end of the hollow tube of the rod holder.
 12. The system of claim 11 comprising a second pair of opposing notches formed at a second end of the hollow tube of the rod holder and arranged about 90 degrees out of phase with the first pair of opposing notches at the first end of the hollow tube of the rod holder.
 13. The system of claim 10 wherein the one or more slots and/or notches, comprise at least a single slot, wherein the single slot extends a full length of the hollow tube of the rod holder.
 14. The system of claim 1 further comprising wherein the angled corner plate comprises one or more slots, wherein the one or more slots are configured to receive a strap therethrough.
 15. The system of claim 1 further comprising an accessory holder, wherein the accessory holder is configured to releasable attach to one of the one or more receiving members.
 16. The system of claim 1 wherein the connecting member is attachable to the receiving member via an angled ring clamp.
 17. The system of claim 1 wherein the connecting member is attachable to the receiving member via a split collar lock.
 18. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiving member comprises one of a T-mount or H-mount.
 19. A transferable rod holder, comprising: a. a substantially hollow tube; and b. a connecting member extending outward from a side wall thereof, wherein the connecting member is configured to releasably mate with an end portion of a receiving member affixed to an angled corner plate.
 20. A receiving member affixed to an angled corner plate, wherein the receiving member comprises an attachment mechanism configured to accept a connecting member affixed to a side wall of a rod holder in a releasable manner. 